Suicide blast kills 16 in Pakistan

Islamabad, Oct 10 (Xinhua) At least 16 people were killed Friday in a suicide bomb attack in Pakistan’s Orakzai agency near the Afghan border, the state-run PTV reported.The report said a suicide bomber blew himself up with explosives at a gathering of tribal leaders (jirga) in Orakzai agency Friday. Sixteen people were killed and 40 others injured in the blast, it said.

The jirga was convened to chalk out a strategy to expel local militants from the tribal region.

According to the report, around 600 tribesmen were attending the jirga at the time of the incident.

No group has so far claimed responsibility for the blast.

Of late, Pakistan’s security forces have been conducting operations against the militants in the area. The tribal leaders are supporting the government’s initiative.